MILAN - TWO of the biggest teams in Formula One fired broadsides across the bows of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), giving warning that they may quit the sport if the governing body continues to press ahead with its plan for standard engines.

Ferrari and Toyota indicated that they may have to reconsider their participation in Formula One if the FIA imposes radical cost-cutting proposals that the teams regard as taking away their core interest as engine and car manufacturers.

The FIA is moving forward with its plan to have a sole engine and transmission supplier beginning in 2010, saying some parties have shown interest in the bidding process.

FIA said in a statement on Monday that it 'received a number of questions from interested parties regarding' the invitation to tender it made on Oct 17.

The governing body intends to introduce rule amendments requiring that 'all competitors must use a standardised engine and transmission system' for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Ferrari said that while they were committed to cutting costs, there was a limit to how far they could go.

'The Ferrari board of directors expressed strong concerns regarding plans to standardise engines as it felt that such a move would detract from the entire raison d'etre of a sport, a raison d'etre based principally on competition and technological development,' the company said in a statement.

'The board of directors expressed the opinion that should these key elements be diminished, it would have to re-evaluate, with its partners, the viability of continuing its presence in the sport.'

Ferrari, controlled by Italian car firm Fiat, won last year's world constructors' championship and their driver Kimi Raikkonen took the individual title.

His teammate Felipe Massa is in the running for this season's title, with the final race taking place in Brazil on Sunday. He trails McLaren's championship leader Lewis Hamilton by seven points.

Ferrari's warning came hours after similar sentiments from John Howett, the Toyota team principal, who said that the Japanese car giant may reconsider whether to continue if standard engines are forced on the teams.

'The issue is we don't want a standard engine,' he said.

'If it is forced through, then quitting is not a decision we will take here; it will be taken by the board in Japan. They want a degree of differentiation between the teams.'

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has backed the FIA's standard engine proposal and rejected suggestions that it might push some manufacturers towards the exit.

'We're trying to get a level playing field,' he told reporters earlier this month.

'I don't see why (manufacturers) should leave, we're saving them an awful lot of money, I hope. All the technical things will still be there, they can show all of their talent.'

Pundits say the FIA's stance may be part of a familiar carrot-and-stick approach to persuade the teams to swallow a more palatable alternative.

FIA said that joint bids for engines and transmissions and for engines alone must be submitted by Nov 7. Bids for power transmission systems alone will not be due until three weeks later.

The exclusive engine supplier will provide either the full engine or the information so the teams can build them.

The sole supplier will work with FIA to ensure that all engines and parts are in accordance with the rules.

The supplier of transmission systems will provide them ready-to-use to all competitors.

THE TIMES, LONDON, ASSOCIATED PRESS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE